Six students from the University of Economics – Varna successfully completed the one-week Intensive Programme Managing and Leading in Different Cultures in April 2019. This was the second student training under the Prominence Project (Promoting Mindful Encounters through Intercultural Competence and Experience, 2017 -2020).

Prominence, co-funded by the Erasmus + Programme, aims at developing students’ intercultural, cross-cultural and transcultural competences along with their leadership skills, in close co-operation with SMEs. University of Economics – Varna contributes to Prominence, along with six other European universities.

The IP was hosted by the University of Aschaffenburg, Germany, with over 40 students from the seven university partners taking part in the training sessions conducted by researchers from the University of Economics – Varna, the University of Debrecen, Hungary, and Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Finland. German and Dutch business consultants were invited as guest lecturers. Students worked in international teams, researching various business case studies to enhance their cross-cultural and leadership skills.

One of the IP highlights was the Leadership Theories and Leadership Skills training, developed and conducted by Varna University of Economics researchers.

Students and lecturers enjoyed their company visit to a market leader manufacturer headquartered in Aschaffenburg with over 100 branches worldwide. Another exciting event was the tour of the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt.

The IP was covered by the media, with Varna University of Economics lecturers and students giving interviews.

IP students from the University of Economics – Varna were happy to share some comments:

"High intensity programme with the great opportunity to get to know many different people from different countries and cultures." Radostina Nikolova

"I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to take part in this year’s Intensive Programme in Aschaffenburg. I was able to meet a lot of different people from various countries and at the same time I had the pleasure to sit through and listen to different presentations from various lecturers. It was definitely a very good experience and I can't wait to participate in a similar project." Radoslav Ikonomov

"This was my first experience studying abroad even for a week but it will be something I will never forget. I am forever thankful to all the great lecturers we had who made sure we come back home with knowledge useful not only for our future work but also for our everyday lives. The organization, the food, the hotel, the city – everything was amazing. I had the opportunity to meet people from so different places around the world and hopefully become long-term friends with them." Galakteya Yabandzhieva

"Very unique and pleasant experience! Met a lot of new and interesting people, learned so many new things about different cultures. Tried different cuisines, went on a sightseeing tour and so much more! Would definitely recommend the program to my friends!" Dobromir Dobrev

PROMINENCE project website: http://www.prominenceproject.eu/